What to Expect in a Roadside Inspection

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Federal Roadside Inspections reached 126,080, and State Roadside Inspections reached 3,405,923 for the 2018 calendar year, according to the Jan. 25, 2019, data provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Of those numbers combined, the FMCSA reported:

79% of drivers as out of service
83% of vehicles as out of service
11% of hazmat loads as out of service

Almost 21% of vehicles reported as out of service is nothing to sneeze at, and you certainly don’t want to be one of them. (Numbers taken from the FMCSA website.)

If you’re new to trucking and wondering what to expect in a roadside inspection, that’s good! Because it will only be a matter of time before you pull up to a weigh station and get flagged for an inspection. It’s helpful to know what it is, why you’re being subjected to it, what you can expect, and how to get through it easily and quickly so you can be on your way.

Checking a truck's tires

What is a Roadside Inspection?

The FMCSA defines Roadside Inspections as “examinations of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and/or drivers by Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Inspectors.” It’s the FMCSA that is tasked with improving the safety of our roadways, and they do that in part by reducing the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks.

Why are Roadside Inspections conducted?

CMV roadside inspections are performed to help fulfill the FMCSA’s mission by ensuring that large trucks and buses are up to certain regulations which in turn helps to keep our roadways safe. Inspections that result in serious violations place drivers and/or vehicles under Out-of-Service Orders. Out-of-Service Orders must be corrected before the driver and/or vehicle can go back to work.

What happens in a Roadside Inspection?

There are actually eight different levels of inspection that could be performed on a driver and/or their vehicle that are typically conducted. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has a helpful comprehensive explanation of each of the inspection levels. Below are general descriptions of each level for a general idea of what to expect and is not meant to be a comprehensive list. For the details of each level, visit the FMCSA or CVSA websites.

Level I is inspection of the vehicle and driver, and tends to be the most comprehensive.

Level I: North American Standard Inspection

Level I is inspection of the vehicle and driver, and tends to be the most comprehensive. The driver inspection includes a review of their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), alcohol and drug use, Medical Examiner’s and Skill Performance Evaluation (SKE) certificates, Hours of Service (HOS) compliance, record of duty status, seatbelt usage, and vehicle inspection report(s). The vehicle inspection includes:

Brake, electrical, exhaust, and fuel systems
Cargo securement
Coupling devices
Driveline/driveshaft mechanisms
Frames
Hazardous materials compliance
Lighting devices (headlamps, taillamps, turn signals, etc.)
Steering mechanisms
Suspensions
Tires (including hubs, rims, wheels)
Van and open-top trailer bodies
Windshield wipers

Level II: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection

A Level II inspection typically includes only what can be examined without physically getting underneath the vehicle. At a minimum, the driver inspection must include a review of their CDL, alcohol and drug use, Medical Examiner’s and SKE certificates, HOS compliance, record of duty status, seatbelt usage, and vehicle inspection report(s). The vehicle inspection needs to include:

Brake, electrical, exhaust, and fuel systems
Cargo securement
Coupling devices
Driveline/driveshaft mechanisms
Frames
Hazardous materials compliance
Lighting devices (headlamps, taillamps, turn signals, etc.)
Steering mechanisms
Suspensions
Tires (including hubs, rims, wheels)
Van and open-top trailer bodies
Windshield wipers

A Level III inspection is limited to the driver's credentials.

Level III: Driver/Credential/Administration Inspection

A Level III inspection is limited to the driver’s credentials. It includes seatbelt usage, a review of their CDL, Medical Examiner’s and SKE certificates, HOS compliance, alcohol and drug use, record of duty status, and vehicle inspection reports.

Level IV: Special Inspections

A Level IV inspection would typically include the review of a specific item. These are typically performed in support of a specific study or to confirm or deny a certain trend.

Level V: Vehicle-Only Inspection

A Level V inspection includes all of the items in a Level I North American Standard Inspection conducted at any location without needing a driver to be present.

A Level VI roadside inspection is the review of select radiological shipments

Level VI: North American Standard Inspection for Transuranic Waste and Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ) of Radioactive Material

A Level VI inspection is the review of select radiological shipments and if the CMV is compliant with regulations surrounding the transport of radioactive materials. The inspection includes enhancements to the North American Standard Level I Inspection, radiological requirements, and the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria for Transuranic Waste and Highway Route Controlled Quantities of Radioactive material.

Level VII: Jurisdictional Mandated Commercial Vehicle Inspection

A Level VII inspection doesn’t fit into the requirements of any of the other inspection levels. It includes things like school buses, taxis, courtesy shuttles, limos, etc.

weigh station

Level VIII: North American Standard Electronic Inspection

A Level VIII inspection is conducted electronically without direct interaction of an inspector while the vehicle is still in motion. The inspection includes: